I rarely don’t without my blanket covering my entire body. I pay close attention to my feet because once my feet get cold, my entire body does, too.
Even if I’m staying at home, I will take out a pair of thick, fuzzy socks once my feet start to feel cold. I also ensure I’m wearing socks during the night to avoid getting too cold as I sleep if my feet end up out of my blanket.
I’ve been hearing good things about heated socks for a while now. And because I have chronically-cold feet, the idea definitely piqued my interest.
Before I buy and purchase anything, I make sure I’ve researched the product thoroughly.
If you’re also wondering how heated socks work, I’ve got the answer to that (and more!) right below!
What are Heated Socks?
If you’re prone to feeling too cold, you’re familiar with the numbness to the hands and feet that come with it. The cold also causes reduced blood flow to the hands and feet which often feel uncomfortable to the point of being painful for some.
Heated socks are a great way to address the cold feet issue. Heated socks are simply like your regular socks. The difference is that they have heating elements along the length of the socks, on the instep, or on the toes. This heating element distributes heat to the rest of the feet.
They have removable and rechargeable battery packs to power themselves up. Though some packs can be bulky, they’re often placed on the calf area so it isn’t uncomfortable with shoes on. Newer designs, however, have much slimmer battery packs so they’re wearable with any shoes.
Who should get heated socks?
Heated socks are for everyone. It’s an especially helpful apparel if you experience very harsh winter conditions where you are.
Those who work in constant cold conditions will benefit from a pair of heated socks. If you’re someone who enjoys winter outdoor activities like skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, hunting, or hiking mountains during winter seasons, you also might want to consider wear heated socks to keep you comfortable.
Lastly, heated socks offer great relief for chronically-cold feet, arthritis, or those with poor blood circulation.
How Do Heated Socks Work?
Heated socks work to warm up the feet with a heating element in the form of electrical wires. This is usually hidden and woven into the fabric of the socks. There is usually another layer of fabric over it, so it isn’t in direct contact with your feet.
This is usually located along the length of the socks, on the toes, or on the heel and instep area. It’s wired into a battery pack to give it power.
When turned on, its power warms and heats up the electrical wires so it distributes it to the rest of the socks.
Heated socks are powered by rechargeable batteries. These battery packs are often removable as well.
Much like regular socks, you can wear them inside any footwear. Newer models of the best heated socks have eliminated bulky battery packs so they can be worn comfortably inside a variety of shoes.
And like regular socks, you can wash heated socks to prevent odor and fungal buildup. Because there are electrical wires running through them, it’s highly recommended to hand wash them and avoid washing machines and dryers. This can likely mess up the heated wiring inside.
Of course, it goes without saying you should remove any battery packs before washing them.
Do heated socks actually work?
Heated socks do work! If you’re a fan of fuzzy, warm socks to keep you and your feet warm during harsh winter months, heated socks are a good upgrade to consider.
How Warm Do Heated Socks Get?
How warm heated socks get would depend on the pair you’ve gotten for yourself.
Some heated socks have adjustable temperature settings that go from low, medium, and high. You can adjust this setting according to your needs and preferences in the cold weather. These settings can be changed with a remote control, a button on the socks, or through an accompanying app.
Some have only one heat setting. These usually only come with an on/off button.
Specific temperature ranges also vary depending on what you get.
Make sure to check out this information before you finalize your purchase.
How Long Do Heated Socks Batteries Last?
Typically, batteries could last anywhere between four to ten hours to keep your feet and toes warm.
Ones with heating settings can have up to 15 hours of battery life if constantly used on its lower setting.
Actual battery life would depend on your usage and the brand you purchased.
Are Heated Socks Safe to Keep Feet Warm?
Heated socks are totally safe to use to warm feet! Understandably, there are people who are scared of using them due to the heating element and electrical wiring mechanism.
The good thing is the heating element has no direct contact on your skin at all! There is a layer of cloth covering the heating element so it isn’t exposed.
And though heated socks run on electricity to provide warmth, the voltage it runs on is very low and poses no risk of shocking you.
Many also recommend wearing regular socks under the heated socks, especially if you’re extra sensitive to heat.
Heated Socks: The Good and The Bad
To help you decide whether you should get a pair or not, we have below the good and the bad on heated socks:
Pros
Heated socks provide immense comfort during the cold winter months. If you’re out and working in harsh cold conditions, a pair will keep your feet warm and prevent any numbing pain to your feet.
As we’ve established now and again, heated socks are great for outdoor winter sports. Many pairs wear great inside ski boots. Lastly, they provide comfort and relief for people with arthritis, chronically-cold feet, and those with poor circulation.
Cons
Most heated socks can be a bit expensive upfront, especially comparing it to regular socks.
The battery pack and heating element may encounter issues in the long run, a few years into your regular use. This would mean you would need to replace them with a new pair once it’s stopped working properly.
How Much are Heated Socks, Compared to Regular Socks?
Heated socks are definitely a pricey item to purchase, especially in comparison with regular socks. But when it comes to buying a pair, you don’t want to choose something cheap you aren’t sure of the quality. A higher quality pair with a pricier price tag will last you longer and will perform better!
For a better comparison of the price of heated socks vs. regular socks, let’s take a look at Snow Deer. Snow Deer Heated Socks are about $80 per pair while some regular winter socks go as low as $8 a pair.
Are heated socks worth it for cold feet?
Heated socks are definitely worth it! They’re especially useful for people in constant cold conditions or those who deal with health conditions that cause poor circulation to their feet.
People who enjoy outdoor winter activities will also benefit from a pair of heated socks. And people who generally get cold feet might also find a pair of heated socks very much worth it.
Conclusion
Heated socks are a wonder for the cold winter season. Definitely an upgrade from your regular warm and fuzzy socks, these provide extra comfort and heat as you go through the cold season.
They’re not only useful for people who enjoy outdoor winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling, or ice fishing. People who work in constant cold temperatures will largely benefit from owning a pair as well.
Heated socks offer comfort and relief for those with constantly cold feet, or those who suffer with arthritis and poor circulation to their feet.
Heated socks work and heat up feet with the help of heating elements. With power from a battery pack, the electrical wiring in the interior heats up and distributes the warmth throughout the socks. These heating elements are usually along the length of the socks, on the toes, heels, or instep.
Some pairs have heating levels to choose from while some have only an on/off button.
Heated socks are definitely pricier than regular socks but they’re a great investment if you want to protect your feet from the harsh and numbing cold.
And that has been our guide on everything from heated socks and how they work!
